Forensics is the application of science as it applies to the law, whether civil or criminal. Forensic dentistry, therefore, is the art and science of dentistry as it applies to the law. “All dentists do some form of forensics without realizing it,” says Dr. Barry Lipton, a board-certified forensic odontologist and a faculty member at LECOM School of Dental Medicine, New York University and Florida Gulf Coast University.
As a first-year dental student, I had no concept of what it meant to be an advocate for the dental profession. And when I took on my first role as the University of North Carolina (UNC) ASDA chapter legislative liaison, I still had no idea. Having no one at UNC to help guide the way, I was overwhelmed. Luckily, a few months after starting the role, I attended the ADA Dentist and Dental Student Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.
The August issue of Contour magazine focused on veterinary dentistry, the impact animals can have on our lives and the importance of oral health in all animals — big and small. Before this month, I had never heard of equine dentistry — the practice of dentistry in horses — but the field is vast and quickly growing.
The ADA is celebrating its 160th anniversary this month. Since our founding in 1859, we’ve been driving dentistry forward and empowering the dental profession to achieve optimal health for all.
Until recently, I was certain that someday I wanted to own a private practice. The idea of doing what you love on your own terms and managing your own time is desirable to many, regardless of career choice. I currently work as a dental assistant at UHS Binghamton General Hospital. …
The hardest part about anything is getting started. This also is true for advocacy efforts. Oftentimes, students are passionate about a cause but may not know how or where they can start to make a difference. Advocacy wasn’t new to me, but ASDA created a program that helped me record my activity and realize that there were even more ways to get involved.
For new dental students, licensure exams are a few years away, but it’s never too early to start getting educated about the current process and what we can do to improve the experience for ourselves as well as future dental students.
